WOMEN from Stirling and its surrounding areas are being called up to join the fight against all cancers by entering this year’s Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Event organisers are issuing the rallying cry “it’s all of us versus cancer” to mums, daughters, sisters, grannies and friends, encouraging them to sign up as soon as possible.

Women and girls of all ages, shapes and sizes are needed to join forces for the event at Stirling University on Sunday May 27.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in partnership with Tesco is a women-only series of events which raises millions of pounds every year for life-saving research into 200 types of cancer – helping men, women and children across Scotland survive.

Race for Life is non-competitive. Women can choose whether to walk, jog or run the 5k route. Most are able to walk 5k in an hour. All women are welcome, regardless of whether they are taking part on their own or as part of a group.

Carolyn Johnston, Cancer Research UK’s area events manager, said: “Come on ladies – please enter Race for Life in Stirling today! It’s all of us versus cancer and we need you to join the fight as soon as possible.”

Last year 2000 women took part in Race for Life in Stirling and raised a fantastic £100,000. This year organisers want 2000 women and girls to put their best foot forward and help raise another £100,000 for vital research.

Carolyn added: “By uniting – and enlisting the support of the men and boys in their lives – women across the Central belt can make a stand against cancer, a disease which affects around 28,900 people in the Scotland every year.

“We know many women want to take part in Race for Life but are worried they won’t be able to complete the course. We want to reassure them that Race for Life is not about being fast or fit. Instead, it’s a celebration of sisterhood and hope.

“Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun. The really startling fact is that in the same period of time, around three people in Scotland will be diagnosed with cancer.”

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. So money raised through Race for Life is crucial to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts.

Thanks to research into cancer, hundreds of thousands of lives have already been saved. With help from the people of Stirling and the Central belt, Cancer Research UK intends to save many more.

Carolyn added: “We are very grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life in Stirling last year and in the past. Thanks to them Cancer Research UK has been able to fund much-needed research. But the battle against cancer never stops and for this reason we need them to return to the fight in 2012 and bring new recruits with them.”

To join Stirling versus cancer, enter Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.